Gary Neville admits he may not make his return to the Manchester United first team until next season. The Old Trafford club captain has not appeared for United since suffering an ankle injury against Bolton over a year ago, and despite the fact he is back in full training - and has played three reserve team matches this year - he admits this is not the best time for manager Sir Alex Ferguson to ease him back into the fold.

"I´ve played three times for the reserves since the turn of the year and this is the longest run I´ve been on in terms of training and playing games," Neville told Manchester United Radio. "It´s going to take time for me to get back to full match sharpness after being out for so long."